What do you do with ammo you no longer have any use for?

I have some various calibers of ammo that I have accumulated over time, and I have no guns to match...and have no plans to acquire other guns of the same caliber. It's not a large amount in any one caliber, maybe several boxes at most, so it's not really practical to try to sell it here (because of shipping costs.) I did sell some ammo I had once before, a couple of years ago, and the cost and trouble of shipping it were far more than it was worth.

I asked my neighbor about donating it (he is a state trooper) and he didn't sound too enthused...perhaps because they don't use too much of the surplus caliber ammo I have (.380, .38, .45 LC, .410, and 12 gauge.) I plan to stay with .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

I know gun shops won't buy or trade it, even in unopened boxes. Can you trade it at gun shows? Sell it at gun shows? I guess I could lump it all together and advertise it for local purchase only. (It is all commercial ammo, bought new, and not reloads.)


Any recommendations appreciated.

I was going to suggest contacting your local law enforcement agency but the trooper thing seems to have squashed that.

You might try to sell it very cheap, face-to-face only, on one of the gun web sights.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Where are you in Texas ?
Is the ammo boxed ?
Is it useable ?

I believe you would have no problem trading those calibers at a gun show around here, for ammo that you can use.

I am SE of Dallas, about 30 miles or so from Mesquite.

Yes, the ammo is all boxed and useable...at most three years old, with much of it newer than that. Well, I do have some loose .38 special rounds; I loaded them into some ammo wallets, and foolishly tossed the box. Otherwise, though, it is all still in factory packaging.

It was more like he was thinking they would destroy it, rather than use it...I suppose out of concern for safety, or something. I was thinking they could use it for range use only...I can understand the legal issues of using donated and unverified ammo for carry.

PM sent .....

If you're of an apocalyptic mindset, you may wish to hang on to that ammo to use as potential trade goods. All of those calibers would be useful to someone in a shtf scenario.

Back before I had guns, Ma-in-law asked me to get rid of some .22LR that was sitting in her closet. I took it to a small gunstore where the owner said he and his grandkids would be happy to shoot it up.

IIRC, the other method in the Las Vegas area is to take it to the Fire Department.

My LGS has a big old pickle jar on the counter full of odds & ends ammo. People drop off their useless-to-them-rounds and he sells them by the piece, like penny candy!

Hmmm....I asked all three of the LGS that I trade with, and none of them wanted it; they were concerned about liability issues...even though I bought some of the ammo from them!

Spread out a blanket at the next Rainbow Festival with a sign: "Will trade ammo for food, or whatever".

Take em to a gun show and sell them or trade them for something you can use. Three y/o ammo and newer is like new stuff and (most) being in boxes makes for quick sales if priced right.

If you just want to donate the stuff to get rid of it,,stop by most any gun club, skeet/trap/rifle range type club and donate the ammo to them. They'll either put it on the 'Free' table like we do at ours or they'll turn around and sell it for a few bucks,,,,but it will be gone anyway.

I don't know what your situation is in Texas, but I've
bought & sold a lot of ammo on a Michigan based gun forum.

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Ogy

No clue. Never had any problem just shooting it up!!! I don't buy ammo for guns I don't have. When selling a gun (not very often) I will list the ammo I have in the price of the sell.

Plus I have friends, and I meet people at the range that shoot about every ammo know on earth. I hope you do also? So call one up and say you have surplus ammo, "lets go shooting".

Guy22

Surely you must know somwone nearby who uses those rounds.
I am of the 'pay forward' mentality.
If I have something someone can use, and I no longer need it or have spares, I am likely to just tighten 'em up.
You never know when someone might do likewise for you.
Ever wonder how all those boxes and crates full of junk accumulate. You know, the ones that the widow hauls into the trading post after the great loss of the love of her life?
Not all old equipment is junk. Or unuseable. The 'yard sale' section at the trading post is one of the most interesting in the place. Usually odd lots of ammo, brass, tools, literature, parts, and components. I got 2 lbs. of W748 for $20 last year.
I am certain someone can use whaever you have.

I see people trade and sell ammo regularly on Armslist.

Try listing it on the Texas Hunting Forum. I often see ammo listed there.

Surely someone on here that lives near you could use it.

If you don't want to sell it, just post it up for free to first taker locally..

I buy quite a bit of ammo locally from others who advertise on local websites. I wish you were closer. I imagine if you advertise it locally, it'll sell fast.

It don't eat nothin'.
No taxes on it.
Doesn't take up that much space.
Keep it.
If you trade into something or a buddy comes over, you might wish you had it.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I've bought guns simply because I found a good deal on whatever ammo they happened to chamber.

If you really just want to get rid of it no hassle or money, most Counties have a Haz Mat Pick up Day or Location. Ours will take ammo and any other nasty stuff. It is real efficient and easy, no questions or forms. TVs, chemicals, batteries, paint pesticides etc.

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Still Running Against the Wind

1-800-rburg for all your old ammo disposal needs.

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God spelled backwards is dog.

Please box up your unwanted ammo and send to me, and I will reciprocate back your way with an appropriate amount of 9mm or 45ACP.

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NICK-SWCA-NRA BENEFACTOR LIFE

I am, I admit, peculiar in many ways...not the least of which is what I call a "minimalist" style. If I don't have an immediate use for something, it bugs me and I want to get rid of it. (Now, I admit, I don't NEED more than one handgun, but we all have fallacies in our logic justification, don't we?) I am not a sentimental man, either...I have very few mementos. My wife, on the other hand, has literally everything that has ever crossed her hands...she still has her kindergarten papers, all our children's papers and drawings, and on and on ad infinitum. I regularly tell her that she qualifies to be on an episode of hoarders. She counters that she is surprised that I have even kept her!

I would do that....but the shipping costs and hassle just make it not worth it to me. Thanks for the thought.

Will everything you own still fit into a sea bag?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I've been considering offloading some commercial .45ACP. What I would do is post it on a local gun forum WTS/WTT board for a FTF transaction.

Is it legal for a non FFL to ship ammo?

Put out word where you shoot. Someone will have a need.

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Front sight and squeeze

When I sold my .45 I still had some ammo left over. I just went out to the range one day and gave it to the 1st person I saw with a .45.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I would agree with all those who suggest keeping it. It gives you an excuse to buy another firearm.

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Even older, even crankier....

Many years ago, during a big clean up, I found a several boxes of 12 gauge shotgun shells of unknown pedigree. I couldn't recall if they were my reloads, store bought, etc. They were old, but were still in good shape. After several phone calls, I was able to reach the commander of the local PD EOD team (Explosive Ordinance Disposal - aka Bomb Squad). I explained my situation to him, and asked if he would like the ammo for practice purposes. He eagerly accepted and even sent a squad car over to pick them up.

Best of luck,

Dave

Ship via UPS or FEDEX is LEGAL.
Package needs to be marked "ORM D"
UPS store will not accept; UPS truck drive can accept the shipment.

Mailing via USPS is ILLEGAL! Qualifies you for free room and board ...

Bekeart

Except for my butt....which is no longer minimalist by any stretch of the imagination (or denim.)

OK, I do have a few more possessions than in my Navy days...like our RV, our motorcycles, home furnishings, my books, etc. But in terms of personal keepsakes, I'd have room left over in my sea bag...which, BTW, I didn't keep...the only thing I have are my dog tags...I do kinda wish I had some of my old Navy gear.

Don't tell anyone I told you this; get all the ammo you don't want, drop it off at the nearest elementary school in the middle of the night (you don't want anyone to see you), then wait for the local police to come the next morning. They will be happy to pick up all the ammo. Remember; don't tell anyone I told you about this secret way of disposing unwanted ammo, especially if the local police bring you in for questioning.

Oh, and make sure your finger prints are on file with the local PD before you do that. It'll save a lot of time!

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Even older, even crankier....

Go to a gun show, with a sign saying what you got and what you want for it. You'll get rid of it.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

If all fails, donate it to your local gun club. They will know what to do with it. They may not sell or give away loose ammo but will probably reuse the components.

Thanks for all the replies. Ammo has been disposed of locally.